Days-long lockdown at Stillwater prison ends

July 31, 2013 - 4:25 PM

STILLWATER, Minn. — The Stillwater prison will resume normal operations after a lockdown that lasted nearly a week.

The Department of Correction says the prison was placed on lockdown a week ago so staff could be free to conduct searches in several areas. Corrections Deputy Commissioner Terry Carlson says in a statement that offenders are constantly monitored to ensure contraband is not smuggled in, and a lockdown like this gives officials a chance to gather evidence and stop problems before they start.

She says the operation was a success and several items were seized. She did not elaborate due to ongoing investigations.